Heading into chapter 22 I had to think of a way to show that Brianna’s feelings had changed for Ricardo and make it sound believable and also have it flow into the story, naturally.
When Brianna asks Ricardo to tell her something no one knows about him, he becomes frustrated, wondering if this is what she is up to with this. What he doesn’t realize is that Brianna is quite nervous, almost terrified of revealing her feelings for him and this is her way of trying to ease her way into the topic. When it’s her turn, she hesitates, not because she doesn’t want to say it, but because she wants to make sure she phrases it properly.
After a brief moment of waiting, Ricardo becomes frustrated and begins to say goodbye. It forces Brianna’s hand at coming out and just saying it. Even when she does, she phrases it as it weren’t directly relating to Ricardo.
“I once told this guy that I only saw him as a good friend and nothing more.” Brianna blurted it out, hoping it would keep him from hanging up. “But… things may have changed, and now I really regret saying that to him.”
Of course, this catches Ricardo off guard and he is at a loss for words when it hits him. This leads him to question her and what she revealed to him.
Brianna’s concern is not fully knowing what her feelings are at the moment, and while she doesn’t want to hurt Ricardo, she also doesn’t want to lose him. In the end, they are back to being friends again, but with the door open for possibilities of the relationship growing into more than just friendship.
DID YOU KNOW?
The story that Ricardo tells Brianna about moving the chair from his friend is actually a true story. Only, for me, it happened in Pre-K. I moved the chair back only a little bit from my friend as he was going to sit. I thought he would only miss it and land on his bottom, but he fell down and back and hit his head on the seat of the chair. I was horrified and thought I would get into big trouble. No one knew that I did it and I don’t think anyone ever found out. To this day, I still remember that and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. Artemio, if you’re reading this. I’m so sorry, bro. (Yes, I’m still friends with him and on Facebook as well. He’s my oldest school friend.)